Oral Cancer Exam

According to the American Cancer Society, over 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year, with over 7000 of these cases resulting in the death of the patient. Fortunately, oral cancer can be diagnosed with an annual cancer exam provided by Dr. Baldassarre. If caught early, oral cancer can be effectively treated.

Oral cancer is a pathologic process, which begins by producing no symptoms making it hard to recognize without an exam. There are many types of oral cancer, including teratoma, adenocarcinoma and melanoma. The most common form of oral cancer is malignant squamous cell carcinoma, which typically originates in the lip and mouth tissue. There are many other places in which oral cancers occur, including: the tongue, salivary glands, throat, gums, and face.

What to Expect

The oral cancer examination is completely painless. Dr. Baldassarre will look for abnormalities and feel the face, glands, and neck for unusual bumps. Lasers may be used to highlight pathologic changes, and can look below the surface for spots and legions invisible to the naked eye. Some of the signs that will be investigated are red patches and sores. Red patches on the floor of the mouth, or the front of the tongue, and bleeding sores which fail to heal easier, can be indicative of cancerous changes. Leukoplakia is a hardened white or gray, slightly raised lesion that can appear inside the mouth, and may be cancerous. Signs of these will be examined as well. Finally, soreness, lumps or the general thickening of tissue anywhere in the throat or mouth can signal pathologic signs, and will be examined.

If abnormalities, lesions, lumps, or leukoplakia are apparent, Dr. Baldassarre will implement a treatment plan that is right for you. Treatment options vary according to the precise diagnosis, but may include: excision, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

It is also important to note that over 75% of oral cancers are linked with avoidable behaviors such as smoking, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption. Dr. Baldassarre can provide you with literature and options about quitting dangerous behaviors such as tobacco use.

Velscope: Autofluoresecence for non invasive diagnostic information

A recent study reports that autofluorescence is a promising and noninvasive tool for the detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Its authors also note that using autofluorescence technology as an adjunctive imaging tool may be most reliable in the hands of oral specialists, but the use of promising clinical decision-making algorithms could facilitate its adoption in primary care.

“The results further validate the use of autofluorescence-based imaging tools, such as the VELscope, in the management of tissue abnormalities, including oral cancer, said David Gane, DDS, CEO of LED Medical Diagnostics, which makes the VELscope Vx. “This report adds to the growing body of evidence that corroborates the use of the VELscope as an effective adjunct in screening for the presence of oral cancers and pre-cancers. As acknowledged in the study, adjunct diagnostic aids are desperately needed by frontline dental practitioners to facilitate the early detection of OSCC and dysplasia.”

The study was a meta-analysis of previously published data to assess the accuracy of autofluorescence in diagnosing OSCC and OPMD. It reported the findings of statistical analyses conducted on 24 previously reported studies detecting OSCC and OPMD in 2,761 total lesions. It also reported a pooled sensitivity and specificity of the use of autofluorescence for the detection of OSCC and OPMD of 0.89 and 0.80 respectively.

According to the company, more than 40,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. Often, oral cancer isn’t diagnosed until it has reached Stage III or Stage IV, leading to high mortality rates. But when it is detected early, the 5-year survival rate rises from less than 50% to more than 80%.

“The authors’ conclusion pertaining to the importance of using autofluorescence within a clinical decision-making algorithm for general practitioners is something that we wholeheartedly support and have been advocating for years,” said David Morgan, PhD, CTO of LED Dental Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of LED Medical Diagnostics.

“It is also important to note that although this study is a very thorough analysis of the peer-reviewed literature relating to early diagnosis, the VELscope Vx is not approved as a standalone diagnostic device but rather as an adjunct to enhance the visualization of oral abnormalities,” Morgan said.

– See more at: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/news/industrynews/item/1401-study-validates-autofluorescence-s-potency-in-oral-cancer-detection?hq_e=el&hq_m=1106705&hq_l=3&hq_v=4842fe40d6#sthash.aG2VFlzU.dpuf